Clay, NY Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)

Chapter 78, Brush, Grass, Rubbish and Weeds, applies to every owner of real property in the Town of Clay, so an empty or unimproved lot is covered the same as a built lot. Section 78-3.A makes it a violation to permit, maintain, deposit or scatter rubbish over any premises; the chapter's definitions sweep in lumber, junk, debris, abandoned appliances, tires, unsanitary compost and uncontained solid waste, though bagged material stored per Chapter 194's container rules is excluded. When the Code Enforcement Officer finds a violation under Section 78-5, the Officer serves a written notice and order to remedy on the owner personally, by certified and regular mail to the owner's last known address, or by posting the notice on the property.

If the owner does not comply within 10 days of personal or mailed service, or within 15 days of posted service, Section 78-6 lets the Commissioner of Planning and Development send Town crews to cut and haul the rubbish. Every dollar the Town spends, including legal fees and an administrative fee set under Chapter 105, becomes a lien on the property, gets added to the next tax bill, and draws interest and collection at the same rate as unpaid taxes. Separately, Section 78-7 makes any violation of the chapter punishable by up to a $750 fine or 15 days in jail, or both, and treats each week the violation continues as its own separate offense, so repeat inaction on a weedy or rubbish-strewn vacant lot can multiply the exposure fast.